Tropical Storm Katia forms in Atlantic; should become major hurricane (update)

View full sizeA 5-day storm tracking chart provided by the National Hurricane Center shows Tropical Storm Katia developing into a hurricane as it moves west-northwest across the Atlantic.

MIAMI -- What had been Tropical Depression 12 in the Atlantic Ocean gained strength and became Tropical Storm Katia, which in turn should strengthen more and become a major hurricane, National Hurricane Center meteorologists said this morning.

Forecasters evaluating the storm said its convective pattern improved overnight and that it now has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. While it has been kept in check some by an east-northeasterly shear, "this shear should decrease in the next 12 hours or so and after that time steady intensification should commence as the cyclone moves over progressively higher ocean heat content," forecasters said in their latest evaluation of the storm.

"Katia is expected to be near hurricane strength within 36 to 48 hours with continued strengthening to near major hurricane status by the end of the period," forecasters said.

As for its path, Katia currently does not pose any threat to land and it continues to be steered west-northwestward by a subtropical ridge to its north, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is moving west-northwest at about 17 mph and that forward speed should increase during the current forecast period, forecasters said.

Current models show the storm steering north of Puerto Rico by Sunday morning and apparently not on a track to enter into the Gulf of Mexico.

Elsewhere, a tropical wave over the northwestern Caribbean Sea is accompanied by disorganized cloudiness and showers. This system is expected to move generally westward at 10 to 15 mph across the Yucatan Peninsula during the next day or two. It has some potential for development over the western Gulf of Mexico in a few days. However, this system has just a 10 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.